Jamie O'Leary named new Needham High boys hockey coach

Wednesday

Jun 25, 2014 at 11:21 PMJun 25, 2014 at 11:21 PM

By Mike Biglinneedham@wickedlocal.com

Needham High athletic director Micah Hauben hopes the second time is the charm for filling his important varsity boys hockey coaching position, and he chose to go with someone a little more closely tied to the Rockets home.After Michael Bertoni chose to resign after just one year of service, Hauben has filled the position with Jamie OíLeary, the 39-year-old Needham native who has an extensive background in not just Rockets hockey but also the Bay State Conference. OíLearyís grandfather was the legendary John Chambers, who coached the Rockets from 1961-77 and led to them to their greatest heights Ė the back-to-back state championships in 1969-70, with the unbeaten 1970 team widely regarded as the finest in state history."Growing up, my grandfather taught me how to play hockey," said OíLeary. "Being around all those trophies, I grew up idolizing the likes of Robbie Ftorek, Steve Dagdigian and Cap Raeder, going to games. My mother grew up in a hockey family, so it was always a part of my life."For this to come to reality now, that Iím going to be the head coach and be a part of high school hockey in this town with the tradition, itís just sinking in, to be honest with you," said OíLeary.OíLeary played his high school hockey at St. Sebastianís, and then had a standout college career at Boston College. He was an assistant captain his senior team, helping the Eagles to the 1998 NCAA championship game, where they lost in overtime to Michigan. He played five seasons of pro hockey in the Tampa Bay and New York Islanders organizations, mostly at the ECHL level.Once he ended his pro career, he jumped into the coaching ranks locally first as an assistant at Wellesley High, and then was head coach at Walpole for three seasons, ending after the 2011-12 season. OíLeary spent the 2012-13 season as a Needham assistant coach on Bill Guistiís staff.When Guisti departed to coach in the junior ranks, OíLeary pondered applying for the open position, but family obligations ruled instead."My wife and I had a baby girl last May, our second child, and I didnít want to leave that kind of burden on just my wife, so I passed up the opportunity last year," OíLeary explained. "It wasnít the right time, and if I was going to take that job, Iíd want that to be for the long haul."So imagine his surprise when the position re-opened after just one season. He didnít hesitate given a second chance."I knew if I didnít go for it now, Iíd be kicking myself," said OíLeary.OíLeary was one of two finalists considered for the position, according to Hauben, but OíLearyís town connection in tandem with his coaching experience in the Bay State Conference proved the perfect combination for Hauben."I think his hockey background speaks for itself," said Hauben. "His high level of experience, from St. Sebís to BC and the pros, to starting on the Wellesley sideline and then as head coach at Walpole, as well as his one year here. He has some relationships with some of the kids, so that familiarity with students played a role as well."OíLeary knows almost all of next seasonís seniors and juniors on the squad, which he feels will give him a leg up on establishing the foundation for his program."I know some of their strengths, and that familiarity factor will help in my first days back," said OíLeary. "Iím very excited to get back on the ice and start. I wish I didnít have to wait until December."OíLeary has already spoken with his four senior captains Ė Danny Jacobs, Jon Katz, James Fisher and Mike McHale Ė and a meeting with players and parents to let set down roots. Junior varsity coach Bill Stewart will stay on board, and OíBrien is planning to add Mike Hoban, one of his former assistants at Walpole, as well.The mandate is straightforward Ė get the Rockets back into the stateís elite. After five consecutive seasons (2008-12) of qualifying for the Division 1A tournament, the Rockets have failed to make the state tournament field each of the last two seasons. They did show strides last year, falling one win shy of tourney qualification. OíLeary hopes to get that elusive victory this winter."Everyoneís aware of the expectations," said OíLeary. "The players know the pressures they have Ė to be good student-athletes, good in the classroom and strong on the ice. But itís something they really want. I donít have to motivate them. I have to rebuild the culture of winning. In any competitive sport, itís important to get on a roll and start winning. Once that happens, it becomes more of a habit. Thatís what I want to establish, and do that as early as possible."OíLeary, who lives in Norfolk, is currently the director of sales and work-place wellness for the Hockomock Area YMCA, with branches in Franklin, Foxboro and North Attleboro. He also has a Masterís in Education for Athletic Administration from Endicott College. The Rockets difficult practice schedule, with mostly late-night practice ice, will actually be perfect for OíLearyís work-family situations, and heís hoping his St. Sebís connections could lead to more local ice time at Lane Rink in the future."I hope to be around, be seen at the school and town more, to make that connection with the community," said OíLeary. "I want to show everyone that Iím in touch.""Weíre very excited to have Jamie on board," said Hauben. "Weíre happy that the timing worked out. We feel, and he has expressed, that heís really in it for the long run. Heís not here as a staging ground to move on. He wants to work to build the program, and bring back the reputation that it once had."Iím confident Jamie will be able to lead the program, and hope everything works out for him to be here a long time."Pair of spots openHauben currently has two varsity coaching positions left to fill, girls volleyball and girls diving. Girls volleyball coach Peter Arsenault is leaving school to move out of state, so Hauben just posted that opening†last week. Hauben hopes to have the diving portion of the fall swimming and diving team, with swimming coach Rachel Waldstein, filled soon.